ESC.VTOR

Details

The unit offers what you might need on a ROV control related mission, including, but not limited to:

- basic set of controls that suit drone operations - a pair of sticks, trims, a set of switches and buttons and all governed by a (unofficial) port of Edge-TX;

- transmitter bay that can carry any micro JR TX module - but since ETX port only supports CRSF connection - that restricts the selection to ELRS module types;

- two displays, one of which can be detached, used separately and has analog video input; said detachable display also can be extended via module ports;

- Raspberry Pi 4 to launch mission related stuff;

- analog video chain with 3 inputs, 3 outputs and local OSD generation/injection; rail mounted caddy allows to install a video receiver to use as one of the inputs;

- an RGBA torch for darker missions;

- a macropad-like input panel that by default comes with d-pad, F1-F4, PgUp/PgDown/Home/End, mouse left/mouse right/mouse middle buttons configured - but can be reassigned to anything else; also comes with mouse pointer joystick;

- if macropad isn't enough, there are two USB inputs - one on the front panel that leads to internal hub, and one on the back panel that connects directly to SBC; additionally there's ethernet connector;

- in case it must be lifted (3kg of it's mass is no fun to hold with your two), there's a tripod attachment frame;

- and much more! (goggles mount/strapping panel, external rail mounted 2S 26650 li-ion battery pack, cool missile switch + VA meter + 10A external fuse block, handles, sling mounts, internal UVC device, servo control input/output, selectable USB host for ETX - internal for mission software or external for simulator connection ...)

What is still WIP:

- ETX port is not complete since it is based on still in development v3.x version that was not released; the rest of RC part can feel spartan, but it does have PPM trainer output and basic sound alerts working; auxiliary potentiometer is not connected to ETX since it requires additional ADC input to be routed;

- mission software/MAVLink connectivity were not tested;

- wider voltage range for transmitter bay;

- local OSD only supports timer/stopwatch display;

- input module (ACU) needs better joystick handling and different modes for it;

- neither display has touch support;

- inputs (USB/video/power) are barely protected from shorts or static;

- decal job needs more precision and overall case needs tolerances to be worked out;

- and much much more! :D

Components

2 × 0.96" I2C White OLED display ORIGINAL BIGGER SIZE VERSION For input processor and radio controller

1 × WeAct STM32H562RGT6 minimal system board For radio controller

1 × 1206 1A PolySwitch Self-recoverable fuse for radio controller's power

1 × Low ESR 25V 4.7uF 25TQC4R7T 3528 Type B SMD Polymer Tantalum Capacitor Radio controller's power

1 × RP2040 Pico Zero No headers, with USB type-c soldered on - for input processor

Project Logs

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Saturate
mkdxdx • 04/05/2026 at 22:48 • 0 comments

Teaser before everything that is hidden under the break:

It is time to spice up the sterile attire.
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Scream
mkdxdx • 01/29/2026 at 03:10 • 0 comments

Fine folks at EdgeTX project are spearheading the H5 port base so consistently, I was able to enable DAC driven sound on my port almost fuss-free.
Uses external amp though - but that should be fixed in the next board revision, among othet things.
The project is alive, but power grid situation doesn't allow me to make steady progress - the infrastructure is constantly being damaged, temperatures fall and it's not fun.
Sway
mkdxdx • 10/12/2025 at 19:35 • 0 comments

It's not an FPV themed deck without something FPV proper, right?

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Surge
mkdxdx • 10/01/2025 at 13:11 • 0 comments

A lot happened!

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Spin
mkdxdx • 07/08/2025 at 22:05 • 0 comments

EdgeTX port is mostly done.

It has everything I need to more or less evaluate how well the project fares in RC department.

Still some features are missing like voice or working trainer port, but I can control a drone with what's available.

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Source
mkdxdx • 05/19/2025 at 22:31 • 0 comments

A bit of an update to keep the log alive, because next ping won't come soon.

With input processor done, project now moves to it's right side - the TX part.

And there are at least two ways to go about it.
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Strafe
mkdxdx • 04/27/2025 at 00:52 • 0 comments

It's been a while.
The input processor firmware has been more or less shaped up, some things still need work, but at least I do not have to keep this board on my table for now.
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Stitch
mkdxdx • 02/22/2025 at 00:14 • 0 comments

It's a bit disappointing when it took a lot of time to do things but these things sort of can't be shown clearly because they are not visually significant and quite messy.

More after the break.
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Sophisticate
mkdxdx • 12/24/2024 at 02:34 • 0 comments

Some eRr Gee Bee action to make things fresh. Everything else below the break.
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Sketch
mkdxdx • 11/29/2024 at 19:59 • 0 comments

After couple of days in EasyEDA, I've got this which is now in production.

Parts are hopefully to arrive roughly when boards do and so assembly waits for a later day, probably next year because non-building stuff does get in the way and I'm not even sure what the blackout situation will look like in a week - lights are already off twice or thrice during the day for several hours after missile attacks on our energy infrastructure.

Schematic mostly repeats part of Radiomaster TX16 reverse effort, check them out, plenty of info, and now after boards are on the way I kind of think I'm sleepwalking into a disaster - there is a high chance that tristate switches are not actual two switches but rather a voltage divider sampled by ADC, whereas my implementation uses a ton of switches hooked up to IO expander in a matrix fashion.

We'll see I guess.